Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

José Mauricio Umaña

@joseumana.bsky.social

340 followers 160 following 350 posts

Digital editor, journalist ✍️ l Podcaster 🎙️ l University of Maryland alum

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · Jul 28

Getting Audi Field's pitch ready for four teams is a tall task.

D.C. United's first-ever director of grounds welcomes the challenge.

I spoke to him about his role and why "beating up" the field is a good thing for @wtopnews.bsky.social's Working Capital series.

DC United’s groundskeeper brings ‘the turf world’ to Audi Field - WTOP News

D.C. United’s director of grounds details the process that helps keep Audi Field’s pitch in shape throughout the year.

wtop.com

1 4 33

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

NWSL @nwslsoccer.com · 36m

Back-to-back 💪

With the result of KC Current vs. Gotham FC, Washington Spirit clinches the No. 2 seed for the playoffs for the second straight season.

5 27

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Washington Spirit @washingtonspirit.com · 27m

PLAYOFFS ARE BACK AT ROWDY AUDI ✌️🤩

We have clinched the second overall seed and home-field advantage in the 2025 NWSL Playoffs!

Get your Playoff strip ➡️ bit.ly/4h6AZiE

1 11 52

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7h

“He believed in getting the job done regardless of what it took.”

Craig Heist, a D.C.-area sports anchor with over 30 years of experience, died at 66. He worked at @wtopnews.bsky.social for 15 years.

In my latest for WTOP, I spoke to members of the sports team, who called Heist "a grinder."

DC sports world remembers former WTOP broadcaster Craig Heist - WTOP News

Craig Heist, a former WTOP Sports broadcaster and a D.C.-area sports journalist who became a mainstay inside the press boxes of the region’s professional sports teams, has died. He was 66.

wtop.com

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

WTOP News @wtopnews.bsky.social · 2d

DC United’s Aaron Herrera embraces his Guatemala roots with his American identity

D.C. United defender Aaron Herrera shares his experience playing the Guatemalan national team after switching allergenics.

wtop.com

1 3

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Melina Melinae @melinae07.bsky.social · 7d

I had the pleasure to talk with @washingtonspirit.com's Leicy Santos about part of her journey.

“I never imagined getting this far,” she said when talking about what she had achieved so far.

Thank you to the club and player for this interview.
#ThatsTheSpirit #NWSL
www.allforxi.com/nwsl/9188/le...

Leicy Santos: fueled by grit to achieve success

Washington Spirit midfielder maestro, Leicy Santos, is one of the best Colombians players of all time. How did she go from a small club in Colombia to play in one of the best leagues in the world?

www.allforxi.com

1 10 49

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 2d

“It’s a lot of fun being able to sort of embrace both cultures, both ways."

@dcunitedofficial.bsky.social defender Aaron Herrera shares his journey as an American representing Guatemala as the Central American country looks to quality for the men's World Cup.

My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social.

DC United’s Aaron Herrera embraces his Guatemala roots with his American identity - WTOP News

D.C. United defender Aaron Herrera shares his experience playing the Guatemalan national team after switching allergenics.

wtop.com

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

NWSL @nwslsoccer.com · 6d

ABSOLUTE CINEMA.

A moment for THAT Rosemonde Kouassi game-winner 🎥

3 35 160

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Jason Anderson @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social · 6d

Adrián González will do his presser soon, but joked passing the mixed zone: "Are you alive?"

When the media confirmed we were and asked how he was doing: "I am not alive."

1 8 75

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Expected Own Goals @xowngoals.com · 6d

Equalizer aside, San Diego wasn't able to capitalize on any potential opportunities in the second half. Their single quality chance of the game nearly secured them a point, until Rose Kouassi cashed in some finishing luck at the death.

4 25

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 6d

1-0: Cool, will have lunch at halftime.
1-1: (Writing separate story) Man, at least they can focus on CONCACAF.

Spirit: "Do you know who we are?"

Once again, this team loves the dramatics. 2-1 at home at the last minute. Unreal.

NWSL @nwslsoccer.com · 6d

Rosemonde Kouassi launches a hail mary from distance for the game-winner 🚀

1 11

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

NWSL @nwslsoccer.com · 6d

Deborah Abiodun finds Rosemonde Kouassi under pressure or her third goal of the season!

1 10 59

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Ella Brockway @ellabrockway.bsky.social · 6d

We are now at 27 games (across all competitions) and 26 unique starting lineups. (!!)

That uniqueness often comes from just changing 1/2 players from the previous week's XI, but it speaks to the Spirit + its confidence in its depth that even with all those adjustments, it is unbeaten in 22 of 26.

Washington Spirit @washingtonspirit.com · 6d

YOUR STARTING XI 🖤

2 4 29

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

René Weiler did not mince words.

When I asked about the struggles of winning at home this season, including only winning once (in a friendly) with him as @dcunitedofficial.bsky.social's head coach, Weiler had this to say:

3 18

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

"We don't have to speak about it. We have to show it." DCU head coach René Weiler said on what fans should expect on the team's return next season. He praised the team's character to play with 9 players. #DCU

1 3

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

FINAL: DC United loses its final two home matches, losing 1-0 to Charlotte in its home finale.

United finishes 2-8-7 at Audi Field, cementing a losing season for the fourth consecutive season.

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 13d

Got to give Jason and the other reporters at Audi tonight credit for asking about another losing performance at home.

#DCU's regular-season record at home since 2022 (W-D-L):

2022: 4-4-9
2023: 6-6-7
2024: 4-5-8
2025: 2-7-7 (with a match remaining)

Jason Anderson @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social · 13d

Safe to say DCU players are a little stunned at how the Union managed six goals on relatively few actual shots & 2.2 xG, but also really disappointed in their play.

Jared Stroud: "Especially at home, it's unacceptable, and it's the players. We have to look at ourselves."

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

As we get closer to the 90th minute, D.C. United fans head to the exits as Charlotte chant for Zaha.

Charlotte playing keep-away while a 9-man DCU chases.

What a way to end the home slate of the MLS regular season.

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Donald Wine II @blazindw.bsky.social · 7d

In what has been another poor showing from #DCU today in their final home match, the biggest positive has been a #FreeDC chant that emerged from the corner by where many of the Charlotte supporters are sitting. It didn't spread far, but the sentiment remains important.

3 19

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

I totally missed this and good catch.

Went back to my convo with former GM Ally Mackay at the end of the 2024 season. He said United exercised the option on his contract, keeping him with the Black and Red for two more seasons (2025 and 2026).

Steven Buckner @sweetbuck.bsky.social · 7d

Totally fair! I spend way too much time combing through those documents, and that one was easy to miss

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Matthew Doyle @mattdoyle.bsky.social · 7d

Wonder if that'll be the last act of Herrera's D.C. career. Salary next season is $920k and it's a team option, and I can't imagine that gets picked up.

Herrera's a very good player, btw. But it's been a miserable year and, well, there's a new CSO in town.

Colin @ufcol.in · 7d

Aaron Herrera (DC United) straight red vs Charlotte for a headbutt on Zaha. DC down to nine men

3 2 29

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

Ref put up 9 minutes of extra time and you can just sense the crowd asking "why?"

However, Benteke and Petola are still trying, with both of their shots being saved. #DCU

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

My "expert analysis" is included :)

Mario Amaya @marioamaya28.bsky.social · 7d

Analysis from myself and @joseumana.bsky.social about the final United home game of the season.

Reposted by José Mauricio Umaña

Colin @ufcol.in · 7d

Luis Barraza (DC United) straight red vs Charlotte

3 20

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

Wild last 12 minutes at Audi Field:

- 21': GK Luis Barraza gets red-carded for handling the ball outside the box.
- 31': #DCU Aaron Herrera gets red-carded for head-butting Wilfried Zaha.
- 33': Zaha scores an amazing strike. Charlotte is up 1-0.

1 3 14

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

“What we did was galvanized the city and enabled everybody to see that we were all working together for one common goal as a team.”

ICYMI: Alexandria honors the 1971 T.C. Williams High School football team that inspired the "Remember the Titans" film.

1971 ‘Remember the Titans’ football team honored in Alexandria on 25th anniversary of film - WTOP News

Alexandria City honored the 1971 T.C. Williams High School football team whose story inspired the film “Remember the Titans,” on the film’s 25th anniversary.

wtop.com

José Mauricio Umaña @joseumana.bsky.social · 7d

“It was unfortunate, but now we know that we’re getting under the skin, and that’s exactly what we want.”

The group spearheading a removed encampment protesting President Trump outside Union Station plans to continue demonstrating.

Read more at @wtopnews.bsky.social:

‘This galvanized us’: Demonstrators rally together after removal of anti-Trump encampment - WTOP News

An encampment protesting President Donald Trump outside of Union Station was removed early Friday morning. However, the group that spearheaded the site says it will continue to protest Trump while it ...

wtop.com